Online Sportsbooks

No matter what part of the world you call home, you are likely surrounded by sports. Most countries around the world play sports at a professional level with extreme regularity, which gives bettors endless opportunities to capitalize on their knowledge of the games, sports, leagues, and players. Sports betting has long been in existence, but with the advance of the internet and mobile technology, it has never been easier to place wagers on sporting events.

If you are new to sports betting, this page is aimed at giving you a better understanding of how things work. Placing wagers on sports is a fun way to make watching a match or game exciting, but without the proper caution is something that can also land you in a good bit of hot water.

Online Sportsbook Guide

It may seem that there are no safe online sports books that still accept Americans. That is far from the truth. There are many quality sports betting sites in the U.S. market. These sites accept a wide array of sports bets, from straight wagers to parlays, teasers, live betting, and entertainment props.

Legality and History of Online Sportsbooks

Each state law regarding betting sports online all have one thing in common: They will not prosecute the bettor for doing it on an offshore site. Some state laws prohibit you from betting with an unlicensed bookie, or even betting online inside the country. Offshore is either not prohibited or the law is written so vaguely as the bettor, you shouldn’t feel too concerned about it. It’s not for nothing that nobody has ever been prosecuted for betting sports online with an offshore site.

Of course, there are some other inherent risks you take by betting with sites outside the country. If the site folds up you have no recourse. If they turn out to be shady and don’t pay you, what can you do? The laws may keep you from being penalized just from doing it it, but there is nothing protecting you should anything go awry. This makes it imperative to put your research in and really see which online sites are legit and worth giving your action to. There are a lot of sites out there but only a handful of them are extremely popular.

Even though each state law varies as to what will happen to you for betting sports with a bookie or online within the country, you probably would not be prosecuted for anything as the government is mainly interested in going after those running the site. It takes a lot of time to go through the processes of prosecuting people and it costs a ton of money to do. That said, would it be worth taking the risk? That is something that remains up to the individual. Regardless, it would be very unwise at this point to start a sports betting site in the United States. Since it is illegal it is only a matter of time before it gets shut down and everybody loses anyway. The knowledge of this risk would deter most people from wanting to sign up anyway when they believe they can find a reputable offshore site.

The emergence of Internet gambling took a while to get itself going but it started during the 1990s. Antigua and Barbuda were small Caribbean countries that created a free trade zone 1994 which permitted United States bookies to take bets via phone calls for horse racing and other sports. Since they were doing this offshore, the laws against gambling that had been established for years were irrelevant. By 1995, gambling software was now fully developed and ready for the next step.

A site called Gambling Club was the first out there although at first real money wasn’t being wagered. You could engage in certain casino games just for fun. A site called Intertops Casino began coming up with odds on games and had toll free phone numbers available for people to call their bets in. Another site called InterCasino was the first of all the sites that allowed you actually place your bet online. This was in 1996. From this point on, more and more sites started popping up. Over the next few years the number of sites reached the dozens and then the hundreds. All of which were based in either European or Caribbean countries where it was legal.

The more sites there were the more money was pouring in. Internet gambling was clearly something people had been wanting for a long time whether they knew it or not. By 2002 the number of gambling sites set up was in the thousands and generating revenue in the billions, compared to only hundreds of millions a few years earlier. The Internet gambling fad spread to poker by the late 90s and other games. The party went on until October of 2006 once the UIGEA was passed which brought everything to a screeching halt.

UIGEA

One of several turning points to take place concerning internet sports betting started in 2006 with the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Up until this point, Internet gambling of all forms was essentially a free for all. Any supposed law was not being enforced and Americans were doing whatever they wanted.

The UIGEA was designed to regulate Internet gambling and prevent anybody who had been operating an online gambling site from transacting any money to or from the site from would be gamblers. Any previous gambling activity that had been illegal or legal remained illegal or legal. The passing of this act shook up everything. Once it was, online gambling stocks instantly plummeted, losing over half of their value. As one would expect, a lot of companies vacated the United States.

State and Federal Attorney Generals were granted authority to stop those operating unlawful Internet gambling with no require of proving criminal activity. The Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve board were also required to regulate inside of 9 months after enactment, accepting that financial systems will intercept payments for Internet gambling.

The UIGEA did not actually close down any sportsbooks, it was effectively a massive road block for getting money in and out of online sites. Instead of regulating all the Internet gambling that’s been going on and taxing it to make a profit, all it did was force everything into the underground world. Gambling was obviously still going to commence, except now more than ever it has to be done chaotically and age no longer matters.

One of the main purposes of the UIGEA was to protect Americans from having their money stolen from the websites. The UIGEA was proposing the sites could do that any time they wanted. Regardless of how true that was it would make no sense for these gambling sites to do that from a business standpoint seeing as they would just keep making a lot more money long term by doing the job they advertise.

The UIGEA was also added to the end of what was known as the SAFE Port Act. This was created to set up a Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in the Department of Homeland Security as well other means to stiffen security maritime.

Nevada Betting Apps vs Offshore Sportsbooks

Since Nevada is one of the few states that allows land based sports betting, in the last few years its availability has expanded because of the emergence of smart phones. With the use of sports betting apps on mobile phones, gamblers can make bets from anywhere within Nevada state boundaries. These apps can not be used if you are anywhere outside of Nevada. The apps are not their own independent gambling sites and they are directly affiliated with the casinos that you can just walk into.

The original goal, and current landscape of Nevada sports betting apps means that the board in the sportsbook is now viewable on your phone. Other than that, it is the same thing. The lines are synchronized and you do all the depositing and cashing out inside the casino itself whom the app is affiliated with. There is no shady activity to fear or any possibility of the app folding up without giving you notice leaving you with no recourse. The apps are created by CG Technology, William Hill, NV Sports Books, Boyd Gaming, Aliante Casino, MGM, and Stations Casinos’ Sports Connections.

Choosing an Online Sportsbook

Now that you know just a little bit more about the global sports betting landscape, it is only right that we discuss how you can go about selecting a site at which to play. Most often, choosing the site at which you would like to begin placing wagers is up to personal preference more than anything else.

If you are an avid soccer fan who only likes to bet on the hottest football matches, then you should choose a site that is more geared towards soccer—which many are. On the contrary, if you are someone who generally bets on a lot of different sporting events, like the NHL or even NASCAR, you will want to choose a site that is geared towards a wide variety of sports. By simply browsing a specific site or by reading reviews, you can gain a fairly immediate idea of whether the site in question is up to your personal standards or not.

No matter what the site is, you should always be reading reviews and customer testimonials. People are often so excited to sign up, deposit, and begin betting that they do not find out about a particular site’s deficiencies until it is far too late. Reviews exist to help you weed through the hundreds of sites without having to visit each one individually.

Another factor that plays into the process of selecting a sportsbook for some people is the promotions offered to new players and recurring players. Promotions are aimed at helping you dtretch your money further, and a lot of bettors love taking advantage of these. While most sites do offer attractive bonuses (especially for new players), these bonuses are not at all created equal, which is why you must put in a little time doing some research.

These are just a few of the ways by which you can choose a sports betting site, but its really all dependent on your personal preferences. By putting in a little bit of time doing research, you will be able to pick a site that is best geared towards your specific style of betting.

Online Sportsbooks with Casinos and Poker

Many of today’s online sportsbooks are multi-faceted. These books not only offer a complete suite of sports betting options, but they also offer a full casino, and in some cases, poker rooms too. There are some very large sportsbooks, like bet365 and William Hill, that are just as well-known for their casinos and poker rooms as they are for their sportsbooks.

The catch 22 to joining a sportsbook with a casino is the added temptation to purely gamble. Many sports bettors may feel that they have an edge when wagering at an online sportsbook, but this goes right out the window when you sit down at a blackjack or baccarat table. Unfortunately, almost every sportsbook now offers a casino as well, so the only way to avoid gambling is through self-control. You may be able to self-ban yourself from playing in the casino in certain sportsbooks. If you want to remove the temptation of the casino entirely, contacting live chat or support will be the optimal way to see if a sportsbook could remove the casino option from your particular account.

Mobile Online Sportsbooks

When we speak of mobile online sportsbooks, we are really talking about a few different things. There are the mobile sportsbooks that function within your browser like any other mobile site, those that are dedicated apps, and some that are a combination of the two. Regardless of the differences between the sites, they all serve more or less the same purpose.

When it comes down to it, there are two different types of mobile online sportsbooks available. In most cases, you will find that an overwhelming majority of mobile online sportsbooks exist as mobile sites that you are able to navigate to and use through your phone or tablet’s web browser. The look and feel of these sites will resemble a downloadable app more than a mobile website, however they typically are not available for download.

The other type of online mobile sportsbook are those that can be downloaded directly to your smartphone or tablet. Because app markets such as the Google Play Store and Apple App Store do not promote real money gaming, you will be hard-pressed to find any real money online sportsbook available there. Instead, some sites offer downloads via other methods. For one, there is the email option where you are emailed a link that, once clicked, will download an app to your phone.

Another download option is by way of a QR code. By navigating to the sportsbook in question on a desktop or laptop computer, you will be able to locate a QR code that can be snapshotted by your smartphone or tablet and will allow a download to take place. In terms of mobile online sportsbooks, downloadable apps are more the exception than they are the rule. By and large, a majority of mobile sportsbooks can simply be accessed through a mobile devices browser.

What to Look for in a Mobile Online Sportsbook

The first, and arguably most important, thing to look for when it comes to selecting the best mobile online sportsbook is the functionality of the site in question. Naturally, a massive part of the functionality of a given sportsbook will depend upon your mobile devices connection. It is always recommended that you be connected to w Wi-Fi network, as this will ensure you have no connectivity issues.

Another huge thing to pay attention to is the quality of the live betting offered by a given mobile sportsbook. Most mobile sportsbooks offer some sort of live betting option, however none are created equally. For one, some sportsbooks offer a plethora of live betting options day in and day out on games and events from all over the world. Other sportsbooks, such as those in app form in Nevada, have a US sports focus. This is not to say they exclude foreign betting markets, but their focus is much more aligned with US sports and leagues.

Bonuses at Online Sportsbooks

We touched on this in the previous section, but it is worth talking about in a bit greater detail. For anyone who is new to a particular sportsbook, you, before signing up, will be presented with countless bonus offerings claiming that they can double, triple, or otherwise boost your initial deposit. In some cases, the bonus structure of a site might give you bonus monies before you ever make a deposit.

Bonuses and promotions come in many shapes and sizes and are all different. While one site will offer you a first-deposit bonus that will double your initial deposit, another may offer a bonus that gives you the ability to place free bets. As if it hasn’t been made clear already, bonuses, like the sites they are offered by, are never the same. You need to make sure you read all the terms, conditions, and wager requirements before signing up for a bonus. While most bonuses are aimed at boosting your player balance, those that are handled incorrectly may come back to hurt you. For example, in some cases, if a wagering requirement is left unfulfilled, the player in question will lose any and all bonus monies that they have worked to accrue. This is just one example, but by trying to use a bonus in a way that is not approved you are really running the risk of losing that bonus altogether.

Just as it is with any other aspect of online sports betting, choosing a bonus is something that should only be done after extensive research. By putting in the time you will ensure yourself that the bonus you choose is not only the best one for you, but one that can actually help give your bankroll a boost.

Cashing Out from Online Sportsbooks

While betting on sports is fun, anyone who partakes in such an activity always has the end goal of being paid. At a casino, getting paid for a winning bet is as simple as walking to the cage and walking away with your money. Online, however, receiving your winnings is a bit more of a process, although most often a simple one.

For anyone who is looking to be paid for winning bets, you must first consult the site at which you are playing. Every site has different methods of paying their players, so it is best that you familiarize yourself with these methods before attempting to make a deposit. Really, you should be taking note of payout rules and regulations before you ever sign up and place a bet, though few people do this.

Real Money

Most often, players are able to receive their winnings by a mailed check. Having a check mailed to your home is often the easiest, most straightforward way of getting paid, but also tends to take the longest. In addition to having a check mailed to your residence, you are also able to be paid by way of wire transfer directly to your bank account. This is an easy way of being paid, but the fees associated with this method are often enough to drive most people away. Other sites, most of which do not cater to a US-based betting audience, utilize e-wallets such as PayPal, Moneybookers, or Neteller as a means of paying bettors. This is by far the easiest, fastest way of being paid, but is not relevant to most US bettors.